The Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR) through its Regional Environmental Geographic Information Systems (REGIS) Hub, recently conducted a 5-day GIS Training for Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) and Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) personnel of Camarines Norte from January 15-19, 2024, at Nathaniel Hotel, Daet, Camarines Norte.

Forty-nine (49) dedicated personnel from 12 Municipal LGUs and Provincial LGU actively participated and trained in QGIS. They represented offices like Municipal Planning and Development, Assessor, Agriculture, Disaster Risk Reduction Management, and others that are relevant to CDRA development.


Over the 5-day training, the INECAR’s Trainers and Resource Speakers guided the participants through GIS Basic Concepts and how it is relevant in the LGU’s Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) preparation necessary to minimize the risk of any hazard and/or disasters as influenced by climate change. The training featured step-by-step demonstrations of GIS applications tailored to the specific needs of LGUs.

Each day, participants engaged in hands-on exercises using their actual data, ensuring practical learning. Participants were required to submit their outputs from the exercises as a prerequisite for earning a certificate. The various LGU were able to create a portfolio of CDRA Maps which include their basemaps, at least two (2) hazard maps, exposure maps, and vulnerability maps. The training concluded with each LGU crafting its action plan on how to move forward on data gathering which they will utilize and map through the power of GIS toward CDRA completion.

The training also used a paperless evaluation form to get the impression and feedback of the participants. Generally, the participants felt that their expectations were met and were willing to apply the learning to their respective work. According to them, the materials given were pertinent and useful with contents that are easy to follow. Further, the participants believed that the training objectives were met.

